I usually get one of two reactions when I tell people where we’re going next. The first is, “Wow, I’ve always wanted to go there!” or “I love (insert place name)!”
The second reaction is not so…enthusiastic; “You’re going where? What’s there?”
Our choice of Panama has received mostly reaction #2 so far, very similar to when we told people we were going to Honduras, or Cambodia, or even Vietnam. Funny, I never get that reaction when I tell people we’re going to Italy.
I have to admit, I didn’t know a lot about Panama even when we first decided to go. I knew there was the canal, great beaches, jungles and that’s about it. I figured it might be similar to it’s northern neighbor Costa Rica (where we went in 2003), but cheaper and less touristed.
We decided on Panama after I (in one of my desperate searches to find affordable airfare anywhere in July) came across a good fare from Los Angeles to Panama City on Copa Airlines. As far as I can tell, Copa is the only airline to fly nonstop between the two cities, making the flight time only 6.5 hours. I now have about a month to plan a trip to somewhere I know essentially nothing about. I’ve never planned on in such a short amount of time and never to someplace virtually unknown. Let’s hear it for spontaneity (not something I’m exactly known for)!
Tip:Copa allows you to reserve tickets online without paying for a few days. I’m happy I did this, as the price of our tickets went up by about $30 each while I was trying to decide. I got the tickets at the lower price. They also allow you to pick your seats online, in advance, and I was able …
